Ignore a ped request?

Andrewsgal

I am sure I will get flamed for this, but flame away. Our ped is ultra cautious. I do like them overall but sometimes it seems like overkill. Switching peds is not an option. DS lost 4 ounces from his last apointment at 12 months and grew 3 inches. They want us to come in for a weight check in a month. I just don't think this is necessary. He is by no means underweight (still 50-75%) and is moving a whole lot more. He also eats like a horse. Would you just go in for the weight check, or trust your instinct that says all is fine and let it go?

KrisBriMcBunny

I dont think kids lose weight like that....I know they dont gain it but to me if they lose it its a bit concerning and yes I would go for the weight check.

DandelionMom

A weight check is usually really quick.  I'd go.  Healthy growing kids rarely lose weight so it is worth the double check, imo. 

kittycarr

I would still go in.  What is it going to hurt?  If nothing else, it will help if you find he's still losing weight because by that point it might be suspected he have a problem and needs further evaluation.

shopgirl_07

For this, I think I'd let it go. I think docs are way too obsessed with weight these days. It seems to cause such unnecessary worry and stress. Plus, he'll be going again at 18 mos.

HotDish!

I would go, I'm a big worrier though.

Andrewsgal

I know you guys are right I am just so done with all the extra tests this ped has sent us for. We have had kidney ultrasounds, a CAT scan and other blood tests. I know it sounds like I don't trust them, I do. I really want to switch, but no other ped in our area will take us:)

buffalo_buckeye

Do you not have insurance? I guess if it was something invasive I might decide not to do it, but a weight check is just easy. Can you ask if you can just report a weight to them over the phone (and weigh him today), and give them the difference? I usually listen to my pedi, but I did have an incidence where my pedi recommended one thing (more cautious), and ds nicu dr assured us it was not necessary. Since the nicu Dr was the one in charge of him over the previous 9 days we went with his recommendation. Also my pedi told me my ds didn't have a milk sensitivity and she was wrong, so I'm not one to think pedi's are always right and you have to listen to everything they say. But in your case, it's just a weight check...I think I would do it. If they want to perform more invasive tests after the check, then I would maybe reevaluate.

Halo79RN

wt check, I'd go for.  dd started dropping in percentiles between 6 and 9m and lost weight btwn 9m and a 10 1/2 m wt check.  we did a bunch of stuff... but the pedi wanted a sweat test for cystic fibrosis. dd was rarely ill, I'm small, so I blew him off for about 6m before deciding to do it.  it was negative.still don't think it was necessary.. it was a checkmark on his list... but , it's done.  we've done no more testing.

was ds really overwt a year ago?  how old is he?  what's the wt change?  I know a friend had a 20lb at6m.... that child did not gain between 1yr and 2yr appts..... just grew in length... but he was still well in healthy range, eating well, active. 

but really, a wt check is a no biggie...I'd just go.

minnasmommy

HotDish!:

I would go, I'm a big worrier though.

this. 

Temp970088312507122

I wouldn't go if they charged a co-pay for it, which my pedi would ($25). I would just track his weight at home and see what happens over the month. My assumption would be it was just because he was moving more and it's only 4 oz - that's probably just a poop!

If it's free and quick, I would take him.

ppants

I think it's silly not to go.  What's so big about a weight check?  I had to take my then preemies for them every so often.

Halo79RN

Halo79RN:

wt check, I'd go for.  dd started dropping in percentiles between 6 and 9m and lost weight btwn 9m and a 10 1/2 m wt check.  we did a bunch of stuff... but the pedi wanted a sweat test for cystic fibrosis. dd was rarely ill, I'm small, so I blew him off for about 6m before deciding to do it.  it was negative.still don't think it was necessary.. it was a checkmark on his list... but , it's done.  we've done no more testing.

was ds really overwt a year ago?  how old is he?  what's the wt change?  I know a friend had a 20lb at6m.... that child did not gain between 1yr and 2yr appts..... just grew in length... but he was still well in healthy range, eating well, active. 

but really, a wt check is a no biggie...I'd just go.

okay, totally just saw that your ds is 15m.  in that case, I'd probably just check at 18m appt.   some kids just slim down early.  dd fell off the charts which is why we went for multiple weight checks and tests.  literally, she was 50th percentile at 4m....  down below 3rd at 9m.  big drop.  only gained a lb in that time.  but she's a shorty.  if you can just drop in and not pay an office fee... then go... if you have to pay, skip it and monitor at home... but if you choose to monitor at home, make sure you have a decent scale and that you weigh  him today and once between now and then. 

there are no other signs/symptoms ??? if there were any question of health (meaning acting off, sick a lot, not meeting milestones, etc), I'd go pay or no pay.

CleoKitty

A weight check isn't a big deal- it depends on how far out of my way I had to go and if I was going to be charged for the appointment. Our pediatrician is an hour away so I wouldn't drive that far just for a weight check, but it was as simple as stopping by the office for 5 minutes on the way to the park one day, eh, I guess I'd do it.

Really though, I don't see why you just can't monitor his weight at home especially if you're going to have to pay for an office visit just for a weight check.

FWIW, I'm the exact opposite of a worrier and don't go to the doctor for every little thing. 

Just curious though- why won't any other pediatrician see your children? 

JOEBunny

Having paid my $25 for many a weight check, I would say, as much as I don't want to, I would go.  With DD, I had to go once a month for almost a year, because she was Failure to Thrive.  I went to a lot of doctors.  What ultimately solved our problem was peanut butter in large quanities. 

I would be more concerned that his is eating a lot and not gaining, which can point to mal-absorbtion issues.  My DD was never on the chart after she was born, until recently, DS has gone from 50% to 5%, but because we have the history with his sister, they are not as concerned.  

emiliemadison

If it was me, I'd skip it. If he's generally healthy, active and eating normally then a 4 oz loss could simply be that the scale wasnt 100% accurate, etc. Plus, he's grown 3 inches in the last 3 months! That could certainly explain why his body may have dipped slightly in weight. He'd have to burn a lot of extra calories to have such a growth spurt! And, if he's still within the same % range, then I truly dont see the big deal.

brightning

I would go. It's not going to hurt anything, it'll be a quick check and it isn't invasive. As a rule, healthy kids don't lose weight. They might not gain, but they don't lose.

stacynikki

I would go.  But then again DS's pedi wanted him to be on abuterol for 3 months straight because he was concerned he might have asthama and wanted to see if that helped.  DH and I talked it over and decided not to do it because we felt he just had a series of colds.  We made the right decision. 

JenniC1135

Based on the other tests you went to that you felt were unnecessary, so you feel like he's in it for extra copays and money from insurance?  I've occasionally suspected my dr of that because of some appointments they've suggested.  If that's tyhe case, I would not go.

emilykristene2006

Why have they sent him for the other tests? Have other issues been going on?